Cellular wall construction



July s, 1958 CELLULAR WALL CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 20, 1956 In )L v PM! WW.. I

- INVENTOR fl mmiww ATTORNEYS H. H. GOLDSTONE 2,841,976

Harmon H. Goldstonerates CELLULAR WALL CGNSTRUCT ION Harmon H. Goldstone, New York, N. Y., assignor to Goldstone & Dearhorn, a partnership The present invention relates to an improved wall construction, and more particularly to a novel and simplified wall construction incorporating a plurality of cellular elements in such manner that adequate ventilation is afforded through the wall, from one side to the other thereof, while at the same time the Wall forms a sturdy structural unit which is impervious to view and the direct forces of weather, such as wind and rain, and may be easily made impervious to insects.

in tropical climates, where atmospheric temperatures are relatively high and rainfall is heavy, proper ventilation of dwelling houses and the like is a substantial problem. The present invention provides a wall construction for use in such cases which is essentially cellular and has a plurality of passages therethrough, permitting the free flow of ventilating air in a generally transverse direction through the wall. The new wall is characterized by lightness in weight, economy of materials, and ease of construction, and the nature of the construction is such that the wall may be readily adapted to either residential or commercial structures.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a partially-completed wall section constructed in accordance with the teach ings of the invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views of cellular blocks used in the construction of the wall of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the wall of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a cross-section, similar to Fig. 4, of another specific form of wall according to the invention; and

Figs. 6 and 7 are cross-sections of alternate forms of the walls of Figs. 4 and 5, respectively.

The wall illustrated in Fig. 1 is comprised of a plurality of cellular blocks 10 and 11, of two different types, which are arranged in the wall in predetermined relation as will be described. The blocks per so are more or less conventional and may be formed of terra cotta or other suitable material. The blocks 10, as shown by way of example, have six cells. The cellular structure of the blocks 10 is such that two rows of vertical passages are formed therein, each of which passages is of generally rectangular cross-section. The blocks 11 are provided with three internal cells and are approximately one-half the thickness of the six-cell blocks 10.

In the wall of Fig. 1, a plurality of the six-cell blocks 19 are laid up in mortar end-to-end on any conventional footing to form a base row or course 12. at the bottom of the wall. A second course of blocks is superimposed upon the base course 12, and in this course the six-cell blocks 10 are again arranged in end-to-end orientation, but are alternated with three-cell blocks 11, which are disposed transversely to the plane of the wall. The blocks f1, as thus disposed, have one cell more, in a direction transverse of the wall, than do the blocks 10, and therefore have portions which project outwardly of the opposite faces of the wall as defined by the outer surfaces of the shocoll blocks 7.6. This arrangement is clearly 2,841,975 ii atented July 8, 1958 ice shown in Fig. 4, and it will be observed therein that the passages 13 and 14 formed by the outer cells of the threecell blocks 11 lie partly exposed outside the faces of the wall as defined by the outer surfaces of the six-cell blocks 10. Likewise, the passages 13 and 14 are partially exposed to passages 15 and 16 formed. by the cells of the blocks 10 immediately below and above the threecell blocks 11.

Depending on the desired height of the wall, any number of rows of blocks may be provided and the sizes and number of cells of the blocks may be adjusted to produce wall constructions of the desired heights and thicknesses. However, the blocks 10 and 11 of alternate rows will be arranged in ofiset relation to the corresponding blocks of adjacent rows so that one transversely disposed block 11 will not be positioned directly above or below another similar block. If desired, one or more reinforcing members 17 may be provided in the wall, and these may be in the form of posts of reinforced concrete which extend through certain aligned cells in the wall.

Referring again to Fig. 4, the right-hand side of the wall represents the inside surface, and the lefthand side represents the outside surface. It will be observed that the partially exposed cells 13 of the transversely disposed blocks 11 provide openings to the outside atmosphere through which air may pass, into the passages 15 of the longitudinally disposed blocks 10. The passages 15 are partly exposed to passages 18 defined by the inner cells of the transverse blocks 11, and the passages 18 are in turn partly exposed to the passages 16 in the inner portions of the longitudinal blocks It). The inner passages 14 of the transversely disposed blocks 11 are exposed to the passages 16 of the longitudinal blocks as well as to the atmosphere at the inside of the wall. Thus, it will be apparent that the olfset relation of the several passages 1316 and 18 is such that air may readily flow through the wall in either direction.

Since the passages 13 are open to the outer atmosphere at their upper ends, it is possible for rainfall to enter through these openings into the interior of the wall. Thus, to prevent the flow of water through the wall and into the dwelling or other structure formed thereby, a plurality of flashing strips 19 are provided which close off the openings between the lower ends of the passages 18 and the upper ends of passage 16. Thus, any water which may find its way into the center passages 18 is kept from flowing through the wall construction and eventually directed into the outer portions of the wall by the flashing strips 19. Suitable drains, not shown, may be provided for removing such water from the outer portion of the Wall.

To prevent the entry of insects through the wall suitable strips of screening 2t), of glass fibers or other corrosion-resistant material, are provided to close off the openings between the upper ends of passages la and the lower ends of passages 16.

In the modified form of the wall of Fig. 4, as shown in Fig. 6, the upper ends of passages 13, where they project beyond the outer faces of the blocks 1t may be capped with mortar 19', for example, or suitable flashing strips, not shown, may be provided in place of the mortar. The modified wall of Fig. 6 also includes screening Ztl, of glass fibers or other corrosion-resistant material. The screening 20' is formed in strips and mounted in suitable frames, not specifically indicated. The frames are then inserted in the passages 14 of the three-cell blocks 11 so as to extend from the upper ends of the passages to the upper ends of passages 16 of the two-cell blocks it) in the next lower course. This eifectively blocks the wall openings against the entry of insects, without, however, impairing the free flow of air through the wall.

The wall of Fig. 5 is comprised of a plurality of longitudinally disposed blocks one cell in thickness, which may have any desired length and contain any desired number of cells within the length. Interspersed with the longitudinal blocks 10' are transversely disposed blocks 11, which have two cells, and which therefore project outwardly of the opposite faces of the wall. The center partition, dividing the two cells of each transverse block 11, is positioned substantially in the median plane of the wall so that openings are formed between the passages 21, 22 defined by the cells of the transverse blocks 11 and passages 23 defined by certain cells of the longitudinal blocks 10. Flashing strips 24 close off the openings between the lower ends of passages 21 and the upper ends of passages 23. Thus, any rainfall which enters through the exposed openings of the passages 21 is immediately deflected to the exterior of the wall by the flashing strips 24. Screen strips 25 cover the openings between the upper ends of passages 21 and the lower ends of passages 23 to prevent the entry of insects, while permitting a free flow of air through the wall.

In the alternate construction shown in Fig. 7, mortar caps 24' are provided at the upper ends of passages 21, where the latter project beyond the outer faces of blocks it); or, if desired, flashing strips, not shown, may be provided at the same points. The screening 25', in the alternate form of the Wall, extends from the upper ends of passages 22, of the two-cell blocks 11, to the upper ends of passages 23 in the blocks 10 of the next lower course.

It is apparent that blocks containing any number of cells may be used as long as the transversely disposed blocks, such as 11 and 11 have one more cell, in a transverse direction, than the longitudinally disposed blocks such as 10 and 10.

The new wall construction is ideally suited for tropical climates where adequate ventilation is an important consideration. The nature of the new wall is such that a plurality of air passages are provided over the entire surface of the wall, permitting the free flow of air in either direction. At the same time the entry of insects through the wall is eflectively prevented, as is the entry of water, by means of simple strips of flashing, or other types of blocking, and screening which may be incorporated into the wall as construction proceeds, or after it is completed. In addition to the above, the cellular structure of the wall provides for lightness in weight and ease and economy in construction, all of which are highly desirable for the purpose intended.

An important advantage of the new wall is that there is formed therein a continuous series of vertically connected passages adjacent the outer face of the wall. Therefore, sunlight falling on the outside surface of the wall will heat the air in these passages. The heated air will rise through the passages, as in a flue, and at the top of the wall is expelledrto the outside atmosphere. By this means, the radiant heat of the sun is continuously carried oil, and does not accumulate in the wall, to be radiated into the dwelling in the evening, as is true with conventional masonry construction.

Another important advantage of the new construction is its inherent versatility which permits of the ready adap' tation of a particular wall structure to achieve desired structural and architectural effects. For example, in the wall of Fig. l, the blocks It may be of a standard 8" x 12" x 12 size, while the blocks 11 are of a standard 4" x 12" x 12" size, with the vertical cells of both blocks measuring about 3" on each side. Thus, for each pair of adjacent blocks 10 and 11, representing a 12" x 16" wall surface, there are two air openings measuring 3" x A2". Accordingly, in the wall of Fig. 1, the air openings represent over 1 /2 of the wall surface area. By substituting transversely disposed blocks 10, of the six-cell type, for the three-cell blocks 11, a net air opening of about seven sq. inches is provided in each 12 x 20 area, with the openings representing about 3% of the wall surface area. By varying the sizes and configurations of the blocks, ditferent desired amounts of air circulation through the wall may be obtained.

As will be readily apparent, the transversely disposed blocks may be arranged in various sizes, colors and combinations to produce pleasing designs while providing the desired ventilation. In addition, if it is desired to obtain light or more ventilation through the wall, standard glass blocks, or glass or louvers in frames may be substituted for any of the blocks 10 or 10'. In all cases, the construction procedure is essentially the same.

I claim:

1. In a wall structure composed of superimposed rows of multicellular blocks, the improvement comprising a first course containing one or more cellular blocks having open-ended vertical cells to the number n in a transverse direction, a vertically adjacent second course containing one or more cellular blocks having open-ended vertical cells to the number n+1 in a transverse direction, the cells of each n+1 block of said second course being in at least partial vertical register with the cells of an n block of said first course and the transverse extent of said n+1 block being such that the external cells thereof overlie and extend on to the sides beyond the Outer walls of said n block the cells of blocks of the first course being in open communication with cells of blocks of the second course whereby air may flow transversely through said wall structure from one side to the other thereof, the air flowing sinuously from one course to the other while moving in a generally transverse direction through said wall structure.

2. The wall of claim 1 wherein each course comprises alternate blocks of the n and n+1 type, the blocks of one course being offset from corresponding blocks of the other course.

3. The wall of claim 1 wherein each course comprises blocks of the n and n+1 type, the blocks of one course being offset from corresponding blocks of the other course.

4. The wall of claim 1 wherein at least one course comprises blocks of the n and n+1 type.

5. The wall of claim 1 wherein the n block has two side-by-side rows of three cells each, the n block being longitudinally disposed in the wall and thereby having two vertical cells in a transverse direction, and the n+1 block has three cells in a transverse direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,264,689 Schlichter Apr. 30, 1918 1,703,155 Lawton Feb. 26, 1929 FOREIGN PATENTS 633,839 France Oct. 29, 1927 

